Trump Defends Federal Agents in Minneapolis, Says They’ve Done “a Phenomenal Job”
In a new interview with The Wall Street Journal, former President Donald Trump weighed in on the ongoing controversy surrounding federal immigration enforcement in Minneapolis, including the recent fatal shooting of a protester. While the situation continues to draw wide public scrutiny and political backlash, Trump praised the performance of federal agents deployed in the city, calling their actions “phenomenal” even as he said the administration is still reviewing the incident and hasn’t made final determinations.
Trump Says Federal Agents Will Leave ‘At Some Point’
In his comments to the WSJ, Trump was asked about the federal response after the shooting in Minneapolis this past weekend, which has rapidly become a flashpoint in national debates over immigration enforcement and civil liberties. Trump said his administration is “reviewing everything and will come out with a determination” regarding the circumstances of the shooting.
When asked how much longer federal immigration enforcement officers such as Border Patrol and ICE would remain in the Minneapolis area, Trump responded:
“At some point we will leave. We’ve done, they’ve done a phenomenal job.”
However, he did not provide a specific timeline for when the federal agents would be withdrawn, instead suggesting that they might eventually be replaced by personnel focused on different enforcement priorities, including financial fraud investigations.
Context: Minneapolis Shooting and Federal Enforcement
The president’s remarks come amid intense controversy triggered by the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old ICU nurse who died after an encounter with federal agents during a protest tied to a large immigration enforcement operation in Minneapolis. Videos circulating online show a chaotic scene during which Pretti was shot multiple times by federal officers. Officials from the Department of Homeland Security have defended the agents’ actions, claiming Pretti posed a threat. Critics, including local leaders and many national figures, dispute that characterization.
The incident represents the second fatal shooting in Minneapolis this month involving federal agents, and local protests have continued in response to federal involvement in the city.
Mixed Messages on Accountability and Gun Control
In the interview, Trump also addressed the issue of civilians carrying firearms at protests. According to reporting, he said he does not like shootings generally, but suggested that individuals entering protests armed with “a very powerful, fully loaded gun with two magazines” can create dangerous situations.
These comments reflect the politically sensitive terrain surrounding firearm rights, public protests, and police or federal enforcement responses. The shooting in Minneapolis has become a flashpoint for debates over federal authority, civil liberties, and how law enforcement interacts with armed civilians at demonstrations — especially when the individual involved had a legal concealed-carry permit.
Political Backlash and Broader Debate
Trump’s praise for federal agents has already drawn sharp criticism from across the political spectrum. Local Minnesota leaders, including Gov. Tim Walz and other state officials, have demanded federal authorities be held accountable and have urged Trump to withdraw enforcement personnel.
Across the nation, senators and representatives from both parties have called for independent investigations into the fatal encounters and the larger federal immigration enforcement effort, often referred to as Operation Metro Surge. That operation has deployed thousands of agents to Minnesota, sparking protests and deepening national divisions over immigration policy and federal policing tactics.
Former presidents such as Barack Obama and Bill Clinton have weighed in as well, asserting that recent killings by federal agents should serve as a wake-up call for the country and urging Americans to uphold democratic values in their responses to such incidents.
Federal Review Underway, No Final Decision Yet
While Trump praised the agents’ work overall, he repeatedly emphasized that a full review of the Minneapolis shooting and related enforcement activity is still underway. He declined to say whether the specific actions of the agent involved in the Pretti shooting were justified, noting that investigators are assessing all available information before any final judgment is made.
The president’s acknowledgement of an ongoing review comes amid pressure from legal authorities, civil rights groups, and community leaders who want answers and accountability regarding the incidents in Minneapolis and the broader implications of federal government involvement in local law enforcement.
